Hull FC are set to host Hull KR for a second time in less than two weeks when the old foes face off on Good Friday and the team news for both sides has now been confirmed.
Hull KR won the spoils and a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals when the sides met at the start of the month but the bragging rights are on the line once again, as well as a spot at the top of Super League.
The Robins currently sit first on the table, even after their loss to Wigan Warriors in Round Seven, but the chasing pack is led by Hull FC, who sit second with 11 points from a possible 14.
As such, the winners on Friday will either maintain first place or leapfrog their rivals, making it one of the biggest derbies in Super League history, particularly considering a crowd of over 20,000 is expected to pack into the MKM Stadium.
John Cartwright and Willie Peters have both named their 21-man squads with all eyes on the injury status of a few players, especially Man of Steel Mikey Lewis.
Hull FC team news
Will Pryce debuted against Hull KR but it’s expected he’ll play a different role on Friday with the playmaker likely to play at full-back, where he shone in the win over Warrington Wolves.
John Cartwright had made just one change with Denive Balmforth returning to the squad after featuring for the reserves last week. The young hooker replaces forward Hugo Salabio who was been sent on a season-long loan to Castleford Tigers.
Harvey Barron (hamstring), Ligi Sao (knee), Jordan Lane (arm) Jed Cartwright (hamstring), Oliver Holmes (knee), Brad Fash (calf) Will Gardiner (head), Liam Watts (calf) all remain sidelined for the Black & Whites.
Hull FC 21-man squad: Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Tom Briscoe, Will Pryce, Aidan Sezer, Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, John Asiata, Cade Cust, Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, Denive Balmforth, Matty Laidlaw, Callum Kemp, Will Kirby, Sam Eseh, Liam Knight
John Cartwright has confirmed his 21-man squad ahead of the Good Friday Hull Derby at the MKM Stadium 📋
Squad News 👉 https://t.co/aQxzKdzIP2
⚫️⚪️ #COYH | https://t.co/69MwiDLr4u pic.twitter.com/ze6LCrx5Qo
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) April 16, 2025
Hull KR team news
Willie Peters had provided an update on Mikey Lewis, who suffered his groin injury early on against Hull FC, with the head coach explaining that “there’s definitely a chance” the Man of Steel could play. He has since been named in the squad with the club likely to make a last-minute decision.
One man who isn’t in the squad is Micky McIlorum, who Peters confirmed had ruptured his bicep and would likely be out for 12 weeks. Positive boosts in the pack were clean bills of health for James Batchelor and Sauaso Sue with both men named.
The only changes from the 21-man squad named to face Wigan are that McIlorum, Eribe Doro and Noah Booth all drop out, replaced by Lewis, Leon Ruan and Harvey Horne.
Hull KR 21-man squad: Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent, Danny Richardson, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown, Leon Ruan, Harvey Horne, Arthur Mourgue
Your 21-man squad is SET for the Good Friday Hull Derby 😤#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WV8z2IXoWn
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) April 16, 2025
